#dream couples

[keanuquotes]

Keanu Reeves with Alexandra 💕 together on set

Keanu Reeves with Alexandra 💕 together on set

[specsnsarcasm]

My Review of... ‘Molly's Game’

I really liked Molly’s Game! It’s stylish, fast-paced, and character driven, the way that writer/director Aaron Sorkin ("West Wing", The Social Network, etc.) does so well.

This story is compelling, especially because it’s true! It’s based on Molly Bloom’s book, Molly's Game: The True Story of the 26-Year-Old Woman Behind the Most Exclusive, High-Stakes Underground Poker Game in the World! I haven’t read it yet, but the movie feels like a memoir in that certain elements could be embellished based on her recollection of events. But given that everything about her world is already larger than life I doubt it was coloured too much. Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction (and besides, her case is a matter of record).

I like Jessica Chastain’s portrayal of underground poker game runner, Molly Bloom. She inhabits the character 100%. I buy her as a Tracey Flick-esque, overachieving Olympian, and I buy her as the tough as nails, savvy, world-hardened person she becomes. I admire her ingenuity and entrepreneurship. She seems like a remarkable person: driven, intelligent, tough, laser-focused, curious, observant, no-nonsense, and above all, resilient. She strives for excellence in everything she endeavours. One of my favourite little details was her casual knowledge of Latin, and legal terminology. With everything that happened, it's easy to forget that her initial aspiration was to go to law school. But with her curiosity, and intensity and the speed at which she acquires knowledge, it’s not surprising that she still took the time to learn something about it. This also underscores the importance of her true motivation for starting the poker rings. She truly could have been anything she wanted. It wasn’t about that. It was about finding her niche. And while she is flawed, she isn’t so flawed that we can’t understand her and empathize with her.

It was infuriating when her two male co-runners demanded that she cap her tips or they'd fire her, simply because their bruised little egos didn’t get enough attention. They resented a woman running the game and wanted to exert control over her. Michael Cera is very good, playing against type, as the dark and dickish "Player X". It's almost chilling how easily he transforms. He’s a good actor. I think ppl write him off or typecast him too readily.

I'm curious to know who “Player X” really is, and if notorious poker aficionado, Ben Affleck, ever played in any of those games at the height of his gambling addiction. I can't say for certain, but I think he might be the "Jay" character.

[UPDATE: A quick Wikipedia search tells me that "Player X" was inspired by Tobey McGuire. In addition to him, players also included Ben Affleck, Leonardo Dicaprio, Macaulay Culkin, Matt Damon, ARod, Nelly, and Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen, etc.].  

I've said it before, but I’ll repeat: Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba are PERFECT together! Even though they don’t play love interests here, they just fit! They are evenly matched in talent, complement each other nicely, and have great chemistry. I treasured every little scene between them! It feels like they've been playing opposite each other forever, even though surprisingly, they never have before. 

While it's Jessica's show, Idris holds his own. He brings gentleness, balance, and a soft moral core to the film. One scene that stood out was his big monologue in opposing council’s office. So good! I felt winded just looking at him because it was so long and passionate! (But by the looks of it, ‘Dris is up on his cardio, so no worries. Lol). His accent does go in and out at times, but I won’t fault him for it. 

One of my favourite parts was when Molly recruited Playboy Playmates. I love that these are accomplished, skilled women in their own right. It’s like a real life Ocean’s 11. lol.

The only part of the movie that I didn't like was the scene in Central Park with her dad. I found the tone shift from the preceding scene (Idris' intense monologue) to this one, abrupt and kind of jarring (though if it actually happened this way irl, my bad. Keep on). When Molly first saw her father at the rink, I honestly thought it was a hallucination! I wasn’t entirely sure if it was in her mind. The uncertainty took me out of the moment. I found that entire scene too neat. New York is a big city, and although your parents may know you well, they're not mind-readers. Molly’s dad said he called the hotel to find her, but the fact that he found her at that precise moment and location seemed a little too easy to me (but again, if it actually happened that way, sure! Life’s full of strange coincidences!). I found the placement and timing of that scene odd; however, it was necessary in bringing about some much needed emotional closure for these two. 

At times, the avarice and excess of this movie are quite vulgar. Especially if you consider that much of this was going down at the height of the financial crisis. But if you suspend your repulsion for a few moments and just enjoy the ride, it’s quite fun! Jessica Chastain steals the show! She's constantly surprising and impressing me. I love her in everything she does, and yet I always seem to forget about her! But I think it benefits an actor to be able to disappear into a role and after it.

I'm curious what the real Molly Bloom is up to now. At the end of the movie, she was left with huge debts, a felony conviction, and some burned bridges. But her trial was in 2014. Whatever she does, I have no doubt that she’ll land on her feet. 

[rgr-pop]

GIRL YES

[bloodyblacklace]

OMG - I love this picture, it's pure sex !!! (Monica, you're one lucky woman)